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December 23, 2009

Reader mourns courtesy, etiquette

To the editor:

I long for the days of old when an act of kindness was common not uncommon. A world where when you said I love you, you meant it and it showed. A world where your word meant more than just "Word" "sup." A world where honesty was the best policy. A world where whinning was for babies and you didn't talk back to your parents. A world where wme me me was heard in an opera house not every house. A world where God menat someone bigger than all of us watching our every move and knew our every thought and rightfully so that thought scared us all. In this season ofl ove and family my prayer ist hat we allt ry a little harder to think of others instead of ourselves. because we all need each other and the world would be a much nicer place if we were all a little nicer to one another. So in the spirit of the season Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all, may we all bring some kindness into someone's world and carry that sentiment into the new year. God Bless.

Ron Boone

Londonderry

Bishop McCormack's Christmas Message

To the editor:

Dear Friends,

One of the happiest times of the year for me is Christmastime. I hear from old and new friends. I enjoy time with my family. And as bishop, I am kept busy visiting prisons, retirement homes for priests and religious, and other institutions of the diocese. However, I am not alone in being busy. For many Catholics in our diocese, Christmas Day is the culmination of an exhilarating period of preparation that began before Thanksgiving. You can practically feel the electricity in the air as Christmas Day approaches.

Some might pessimistically observe that some of the energy expended has little to do with celebrating the birth of Our Savior. One can point to the secular movies, greeting cards, and decorations. Then, of course, there are all the gifts, some worth their weight in gold, frankincense or myrrh. There are many who lament that "Christ" no longer seems to be part of "Christmas."

I disagree. I like to think that Christmas, as it is celebrated today, is more than just personal gifts and starry lights. It is a time together with family and friends to pray together in church and gather together at home. What other time of year do families spend so much time together? When else do we gather to laugh, tell stories and share in each other's joy?

Christ is there, whether it is decorating the tree, baking the cookies, or buying the toys. Although Christ is present, He is more present as we recognize it is He who brings us together. I encourage you, if you have not been to Mass lately, to reintroduce yourself to your parish community, meet your parish priest - and ask how you can become more involved in parish life and worship. There is no better time to remember that the bonds of family stretch beyond one's actual home. We are all chosen by God to share in His one family of faith.

Christmas began with our Savior's birth, and the creation of a new family through Mary, our Mother. So long as we keep God's love in our hearts, and our families close to us, Christmas will always remain centered on Christ.

John B. McCormack

Bishop of Manchester

Two men named Bob

To the editor:

We know two men named Bob

who this year entered our life,

as if by prayer,

in a time of strife.

They are selfless men

who care for us all

and serve our communities

on scales large and small.

Thanks to these men,

Christmas will be more cheery.

We thank you for your aid

that came at a time so bleary.

Bob L. and Bob C.,

you know who you are.

May the Christmas spirit return to you,

for you are the best Santas by far!

Susan Perry

Derry

Casa Snow Fest celebrates 10 years

To the editor:

Loon Mountain and the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire will celebrate their ten-year partnership with a return to snow golf on Friday, February 5, 2010. Snow golf is just what it sounds like: golf played on snow. Loon will transform its Blue Ox trail into an 18-hole golf course, and participants will ski, snowboard or snowshoe the course. The event will be a double-flight, nine-hole "shot-gun" style scramble format. Prizes will even be award for the "closest to the pin" and "longest drive."

Over the past ten years, the CASA Snow Fest at Loon has raised more than $100,000. Loon first hosted a snow golf event in 2000 as part of the inaugural CASA Snow Fest winter fundraiser. "Over the years, the event has taken on different looks, but the mission, purpose and spirit has never changed," said CASA Executive Director, Marcia Sink. "The funds we have raised have helped CASA serve more of the states children who need a strong advocate by their side."

The Snow Fest isn't just about raising money for a good cause. The day is also an opportunity to celebrate the more than 300 volunteers who give of themselves throughout the year to CASA. Over the past ten years, Loon Mountain has offered a day of complimentary skiing and snowboarding, along with other activities for CASA volunteers and their family. "These are men and women who are in the trenches with our kids in the program day-in and day-out," continued Sink. "For many kids, these CASA volunteers are their life-line. We are so grateful that Loon not only offers its hospitality with a site for the Snow Fest, but also is so gracious with the Volunteer Appreciation Day."

Participants of the CASA Snow Fest include both businesses and individuals. Some are involved in the court system and work with CASA daily. Others are families who have been helped by CASA. And still others are business owners who are looking to support their community and have seen how CASA has made a difference. The Rowley Agency of Concord has been a proud supporter of this event since the beginning. "We know that the CASA program works. This organization is breaking the cycle of child abuse in New Hampshire," said Rowley Agency's Bill VerPlanck. "We hope other businesses, large or small, will join as a sponsor and enjoy a great day at Loon Mountain"

Sponsor of the 2010 CASA Snow Fest include WMUR-TV ABC-9, WOKQ, and The Common Man Restaurants.

To become involved with the event, contact CASA directly at 603-626-4600, or go online to www.casanh.org.

Kathy Vachon, Director of Development

CASA of N.H.

Bought and paid for

To the editor:

I am calling on both the Republican and Democratic Parties to publish a list of all United States Senators and Representatives who have committed a Ben-Nelson. We must know who among our leaders are selling our country down the tubes for their 30 pieces of silver. We must see a list of how much it costs the taxpayers for Senator Harry Reid and Representative Nancy Pelosi to buy votes for socialist healthcare, a program that is against the will of the majority in this country. I, for one, resent the fact that Senator Ben Nelson allowed Senator Harry Reid to buy his vote. The federal government (meaning us) will pick up the tab for new Medicaid patients in the state of Nebraska added through Obamacare. That is in addition to the new Medicaid patients that will be added to the New Hampshire rolls. Some of our leaders have become prostitutes, selling their votes at the expense of our country. Thank you,

Katherine J. Getchell

Londonderry

Reaching out a helping hand

To the editor:

Members of Brookside Congregational Church's Women's Union responded to a recent article on behalf of Liberty House, Inc. called the "Adopt-a-Bill" program. The "Adopt-a-Bill" campaign was established and launched at the beginning of October 2009. Its purpose is to help off-set costs incurred by the house (electric/ phone/ heating oil etc...) and to help 'transitioning-out' American veterans with gift and gas cards. The campaign seeks to raise $10,000 over the next few months. To date, the fund raising campaign has seen about $3000 come in to assist with expenses the house incurs all year long.

At Liberty House, American veterans receive meals, clothing; household goods and case management to help guide them toward gainful employment and permanent housing. Veterans at Liberty House receive the support they need, the respect they deserve and the skills that empower them to achieve self-sufficiency.

Liberty House is a non-profit, 501(C) (3) corporation and all donations are tax deductible. Individuals, families and private and public companies and their employees etc... are all encouraged to participate in the fund-raising. Donations may also be made 'in memory of...' or on behalf of family members and or friends that have served or are currently serving our country.

For more information and/ or to donate to the cause, please contact "K" McCarthy:

Liberty House, Inc.

C/O K. McCarthy

75 West Baker St.

Manchester, NH 03103

K. McCarthy

Manchester